NCDC Weekend Preview: Division Races Take Center Stage Across 56-Game Slate
The National Collegiate Development Conference returns with 56 games scheduled from Friday, Nov. 6, through Sunday, Nov. 8, as several of the league’s tightest races produce important head-to-head matchups.
Friday features 13 games, followed by a packed 24-game Saturday and 19 more contests Sunday.
Atlantic: Knights Defend the Top Spot
The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights enter the weekend leading the Atlantic with 25 points, five ahead of the Jersey Hitmen. WBS opens against the Mercer Chiefs at 6:30 p.m. ET Friday before visiting Rockets Hockey Club at 7:45 p.m. Saturday.
West Chester and P.A.L. begin the weekend against each other Friday at 1:30 p.m. ET. Both clubs will be looking to end three-game losing streaks. West Chester then meets Mercer on Saturday, while P.A.L. hosts the Jersey Hitmen.
Connecticut Jr. Rangers face South Shore on Saturday before meeting Northern on Sunday, giving CJR two opportunities to gain ground against leading Metro opponents.
Colonial: Springfield and Dynamo Separated by One Point
Only one point separates Springfield and New York atop the Colonial standings. The Pics enter with 23 points, while the Dynamo sit at 22.
Springfield visits the Boston Jr. Rangers at 5 p.m. ET Saturday before facing Utica at 4 p.m. Sunday. New York plays Vermont on Friday, Connecticut RoughRiders on Saturday and Syracuse on Sunday.
Red Bank and the Connecticut Chiefs are tied at 18 points. The Generals play a home-and-home set against Potomac on Saturday and Sunday, while the Chiefs meet Syracuse on Friday and the RoughRiders on Sunday.
Metro: Contenders Collide
The Boston Jr. Rangers and South Shore Kings enter the weekend tied with 20 points, with Northern only one point behind.
Northern and South Shore meet Friday at 1 p.m. ET in one of the weekend’s most important divisional games. The Kings return Saturday against Connecticut Jr. Rangers, while Northern hosts CJR on Sunday.
Boston Jr. Rangers face Colonial-leading Springfield on Saturday. The Metropolitan slate also includes New England against the Boston Jr. Bruins on Friday and Worcester against the Bruins on Sunday.
Great Lakes: Metro Faces Two Tests
The Metro Jets face Columbus at 5 p.m. ET Friday before visiting Fort Wayne at 7:15 p.m. Saturday.
Columbus has a demanding back-to-back schedule, following Friday’s game against Metro with a Saturday meeting against Toledo. The Cherokee are coming off a perfect Midwest Showcase and will look to continue their momentum.
Red River hosts Carolina on Saturday, while Fort Wayne’s only game of the weekend comes against Metro.
North: Blue Ox and Riverkings Meet Twice
Minnesota Blue Ox and Wisconsin Rapids will play a two-game series beginning Friday at 7 p.m. CT and concluding Sunday at noon CT.
Minnesota Squatch hosts Northwest Express on Friday, while Northwest meets Hudson on Sunday. Hudson will be looking to respond after last weekend’s loss to the Minnesota Mullets.
Northeast: First Place on the Line
Woodstock enters the weekend leading the Northeast with 20 points, just one ahead of Lewiston.
The two teams meet Saturday at 6 p.m. ET in a matchup that could determine the conference leader. Lewiston also hosts Woodstock Friday at 7:30 p.m. AT, creating a crucial two-game set between the division’s top clubs.
Montreal, currently tied with Thunder at 17 points, visits St. Stephen on Saturday and hosts Thunder on Sunday. Quebec Universel hosts Vermont on Saturday before visiting St. Stephen on Sunday.
South: Several Two-Game Sets Ahead
Yorktown and Charlotte meet Saturday night before completing their weekend series Sunday morning.
The Florida schedule includes Coral Springs against the Florida Jr. Blades and Florida Surge against Tampa Bay on Saturday. Sunday brings Typhoon against the Surge and Coral Springs against Tampa Bay.
Lake Tahoe and Ventura play Friday and Saturday before completing a three-game series Sunday. Ontario and Fresno will also meet on all three days.
Mountain: Park City Watches the Chase
Mountain-leading Park City has one game this weekend, hosting Vernal at 5:05 p.m. MT Sunday.
Vernal first visits Rock Springs on Saturday. Casper and McCall meet Friday and Saturday before closing their three-game set Sunday morning.
Games to Watch
- Northern Cyclones vs. South Shore Kings — Friday, 1 p.m. ET
- West Chester Wolves vs. P.A.L. Junior Islanders — Friday, 1:30 p.m. ET
- Columbus Mavericks vs. Metro Jets — Friday, 5 p.m. ET
- Lewiston MAINEiacs vs. Woodstock Warriors — Friday and Saturday
- Boston Jr. Rangers vs. Springfield Pics — Saturday, 5 p.m. ET
- Toledo Cherokee vs. Columbus Mavericks — Saturday, 7:40 p.m. ET
- Ontario Jr. Reign vs. Fresno Monsters — Friday through Sunday
- Connecticut Chiefs vs. Connecticut RoughRiders — Sunday, 3 p.m. ET
Current records and point totals were checked against the official NCDC standings.
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